How to plan your first 3 days in London
Focus your first three days on a logical geographic loop to minimize transit time between iconic landmarks. Spend day one in Westminster, day two in the City and South Bank, and day three exploring the museum district and royal parks.
- Buy an Oyster card or use contactless. Don't buy paper tickets. Use a contactless credit card or phone (Apple/Google Pay) for all Tube and bus journeys. You will automatically hit a 'daily cap' so you never pay more than the set maximum per day.
- Map your walk by borough. Group your sightseeing by neighborhood. London is massive; if you try to cross from the Tower of London to Kensington in one morning, you will lose two hours on the Underground.
- Book your big-ticket items 4 weeks out. If you want to see the Tower of London or go up the Shard, buy tickets online at least a month in advance. Popular slots sell out fast.
- Do I need to tip in London?
- A 12.5% service charge is usually added to restaurant bills. You don't need to add anything extra on top of that.
- Is the London Pass worth it?
- Only if you plan to visit at least 3 major paid attractions every single day. If you prefer walking and free museums, don't buy it.